Riesgo de suicidio, inteligencia emocional y necesidades psicológicas básicas en adolescentes tutelados en centros residenciales

espanolDurante decadas la literatura ha evidenciado las multiples repercusiones psicologicas y emocionales que conlleva el maltrato en la infancia. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo describir y analizar la relacion entre el riesgo de suicidio, la inteligencia emocional percibida (IEP) y las necesidades psicologicas basicas (NPB) de los adolescentes tutelados en centros. La muestra se compuso por 61 adolescentes tutelados (el 50.82% eran varones) de entre 12 y 17 anos (M = 14.61; DT = 1.61) acogidos en centros residenciales de la provincia de Barcelona. Se administro una bateria de cuestionarios que incluia datos demograficos y escalas de inteligencia emocional, riesgo de suicidio y grado de satisfaccion de las necesidades psicologicas basicas. Veintiseis adolescentes (42.6%) presentaron altos niveles de riesgo suicida. Se objetivaron correlaciones significativas entre el riesgo de suicidio, la inteligencia emocional percibida (Atencion, Claridad y Reparacion) y las necesidades psicologicas basicas (Autonomia, Competencia y Relacion). Su principal necesidad psicologica fue la de Competencia que, al mismo tiempo, demostro ser la que mantiene una relacion inversa mas estrecha con el suicidio. Los adolescentes tutelados en centros residenciales presentan indicadores de riesgo de suicidio que deben ser abordados, entre los que destaca una marcada dificultad para afrontar las emociones. La inteligencia emocional podria ser un factor protector ante el riesgo de suicidio en este colectivo EnglishSuicide risk, emotional intelligence and basic psychological needs in adolescents in residential care. For decades the literature has demonstrated multiple psychological and emotional implications resulting from maltreatment in childhood. The present study aims to describe and analyze the relationship between suicide risk, perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) and the basic psychological needs (BPN) of adolescents in residential care. The sample was consisted of 61 adolescents (50.82% were boys) aged between 12 and 17 years (M = 14.61; DT = 1.61) living in residential care centers in the province of Barcelona. A series of questionnaires was administered that included demographic data and PEI, suicide risk and BPN’s satisfaction scales. Twenty-six adolescents (42.6%) reported high levels of suicide risk. Significant correlations were found between suicide risk, PEI (Attention, Clarity and Repair) and BPN (Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness). Competence was their main psychological need, which proved to be the one with the closest inverse relationship with suicide risk. Adolescents in residential care present suicide risk indicators that must be addressed, notably their marked difficulty in dealing with emotions. Emotional intelligence may be a protective factor against suicide risk in this group